Cheddar Res -closed thread
Think the Little Grebes from the previous post were Black necked Grebes Jen. Also 10 Sand Martins.
Ah ok, thanks. We did take some photos to try and help us ID (and had been looking at both Little and BN), but will pop down on Sunday and try to get some clear images that we can share.
We’ve been back around the reservoir earlier today and found the two ‘small’ grebes again (we agree that they aren’t Little Grebes - so thanks for pointing that out to us). They were each on different sides of the reservoir today (whereas yesterday they were together).
The colouring is different on each of them so we are now wondering if one may be a Slavonian grebe (as looks similar to photos I have seen posted by someone else in March 2015 at Cheddar Res).
Our photos are on Flickr, so would appreciate opinions.
Link to Flickr (We have created a new group for Cheddar Reservoir Wildlife as couldn’t find one - so please join / add photos)
(We have included a GC Grebe in the photos for size comparison)
We also saw 1 male & 2 female Scaup, Pochards, Tufties today, but haven’t spotted the Sand Martins yet.
On our way back across the fields, we spotted a Goldcrest.
One Black necked Grebe, one Scaup, Pochard, Tufties, Shovelers and a small flock of Sand Martins this am
Think the Little Grebes from the previous post were Black necked Grebes Jen. Also 10 Sand Martins.
Ah ok, thanks. We did take some photos to try and help us ID (and had been looking at both Little and BN), but will pop down on Sunday and try to get some clear images that we can share.
Think the Little Grebes from the previous post were Black necked Grebes Jen. Also 10 Sand Martins.
Saturday afternoon: Spotted a couple of ‘Little Grebes’ amongst the Great Grested Grebes. Counted approx 20 Shoveler ducks who kept taking off and flying around in groups. Lots of Meadow Pipits on the grassy banks and a Redwing spotted near the cemetery. Still lots of tufted ducks around.
One Bullfinch along the Strawberry Line.
3 pairs of Goosander this evening (just before dusk) on the western side of the reservoir. Pretty sure there were a couple of male Shoveler ducks as well.
Also, some Redwings in the fields alongside the Strawberry Line (opp. Cheddar FC)
7 pair of goosander this morning, a green woody in Middlemoor Lane…....Also on teusday there tawny owl again in the lane and a GS woody, back on the Res Thursday morning there was a solitary oystercatcher
7 female and 4 male goosander this morning,in the same area
6 pair of goosander this early morning among a load of Coot on the west perimeter
Midday today - Scaup (m+2f), Goldeneye (m+3f) and a second winter Mediterranean Gull loafing with Black-heads (yacht club pontoon).
A pair of RC pochard on the west side of Cheddar res. at 14.30 hrs on 10/02/16. The female was a juvenile with only a small amount of red on bill. As they were close to shore the colouring was superb in the sunlight. (yes we do get some!)
At midday - a male and 2 female Scaup by Cheddar Tower, a female Red-crested Pochard in front of Axbridge entrance plus 2 female Goldeneyes near Axbridge Tower and good numbers of Redwing in surrounding fields.
Also a group of c. 25 Siskins feeding in alders by the pond and The Bays at start of gorge.
Two female scaup with possible first winter male seen yesterday near Cheddar tower. Also single drake Goldeneye and five Gadwall.
hi Ian , not goldeneye, the female shows a white neck, these two were all “dull” only white was as i had previously noted
They sound like female Goldeneye, from your excellent description, to me Neville. There have been some on the Reservoir though it’s a while since I’ve been around.
If you google goldeneye and female you should get some pics that will help with ID.